Component Rack System

ABSTRACT

A heavy duty, adjustable rack system for holding a variety of electronic components having adjustable shelves, caster wheels for moving the rack to access the components, handles to assist with moving the rack, and a heavy base plate to lower the center of gravity of the rack system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.0 §119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/246,827, filed on Sep.29, 2009, entitled “Component Rack System,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a component rack system, and, more specifically, to a heavy duty rack system for holding electronic components that is mobile, and stable under heavy loads.

BACKGROUND

Electronic component systems, such as complex computer systems or sound systems, are used in a variety of business and personal applications. Such systems often combine multiple components, some of which may be quite heavy, weighing fifteen pounds or more per component. These systems are preferably set up with the components relatively close to each other, so that connection cables are not required to stretch long distances. However, simply stacking the components one upon the other is not advised, as these components may need ventilation to avoid over heating, and the entire stack might need to be adjusted to reach a single component that needs repair or replacement.

To conveniently store electronic component systems, many people use a rack that is capable of holding many components. Such a rack preferably has multiple adjustable shelves, which may be set at a desired height based upon the size and shape of the individual components. The rack should be large enough to allow most of the components to be stored, while still allowing for room between the components to allow for ventilation. In addition, the rack should allow easy access to the back of the components where most of the cable connections are located.

A problem exists, however, in providing a rack system for extremely large component systems that need to be stored in small places, such as a computer component system for a fast food restaurant that needs to be stored in a space the size of a small closet. Such component systems typically have too many heavy parts to be stored all on a single, conventional rack system. In addition, if the components need to be accessed often, then the rack may not be able to withstand repeated moving to reach the components.

Thus there is a need for a sturdy rack system for electronic components that is capable of holding large and extremely heavy componentry. The rack system should have adjustable shelves so that it may be adapted to hold a wide variety of components. The rack system should be large enough to hold the necessary components and provide proper ventilation while also allowing for storage of the components into small spaces. In addition the rack system should be mobile so that it may be easily accessed without disrupting the electronic components therein.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a heavy duty rack system with adjustable shelves, designed to hold large electronic componentry. The rack system includes large castors, capable of withstanding great weight, to allow the rack system to be rolled away from a wall to allow access to the back of the components. In order to avoid the system becoming top heavy, which reduces the safety of rolling the rack system away from a wall, the rack system of the present invention is heavily weighted at the bottom. In addition, the rack system may include optional handles to assist with rolling the system.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to store a large number of electronic components in a relatively small space, while still allowing sufficient ventilation for the components.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to allow quick and easy access to the rear of the components to allow for easy installation, removal, and/or repair of said components.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is the adjustability of the rack system, so that it may be configured to store an unlimited variety of electronic components.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rack system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the rack system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the rack system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of cut away shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of second cut away shown in FIG. 3.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, FIGS. 1-3 show a component rack system 10 of the present invention. The rack system may include four corner rails 20, designed with multiple attachments for receiving shelves 30. Shelves 30 may include half-shelves 35, full shelves 37, or any desired combination thereof. In other embodiments, shelves 30 may be proportioned in size, either larger or smaller in comparison to half-shelf 35, to accommodate an intended use. Shelves 30 may preferably be attached to corner rails 20 at a variety of locations so that the shelves may be adjusted as desired by the end user.

The illustrated preferred embodiment also includes side support beams 33 that may be used in conjunction with full shelf 37 to provide support for taller components. For example, if desktop computer towers are stored on full shelf 37, then there is a danger the computer towers could tip over when the rack system is in motion. Support beams 33 assist in preventing such accidental tipping.

Corner rails 20 and shelves 30 are preferably formed form a heavy duty metal to handle the weight of large electronic components. Rails and shelves made from steel and having about ⅛″ thickness have been found useful in this regard. Support beams 33 may be thinner, as they are not intended to bear a principally vertical load.

The rack system shown in the Figures also includes important features that assist in providing mobility to the system. These are handles 40, caster wheels 50, base plate 60, and power strip 70.

Caster wheels 50 are added to allow the rack system to be moved in and out of a tight space to provide access to the components stored on the system. Heavy duty casters need to be used to withstand large weight. A useful caster wheel has been assembled using parts sold as Swivel Wheel (Part Number AM-PH62-S) and Rigid Casters (Part Number AM-PH62-R).

Handles 40 are preferably added to at least two of corner rails 20 to provide means for easily gripping the rack system for moving. The handles may be positioned lower on the rack, for example, at or below the center of gravity of the rack system, so that one does not tip the rack over by pulling on the handles.

Base plate 60 is an important aspect of the rack system, as it provides extra weight to help lower the rack system's center of gravity and reduce the risk of tipping the rack system when it is rolled. Base plate 60 may be made of any heavy material, such as ¼″ or greater thick steel. Base plate 60 may also be used as an additional shelf, if so desired. In some embodiments, base plate 60 may be made up of several parts, each oriented, by way of non-limiting example, in a vertical direction with respect to the width of the part, each part spanning between, and attached to, two or more vertical rails. When so configured, a shelf 30 may be disposed atop base 60, if so desired.

Optional power strip 70 is helpful in providing a single source of electrical power for the components, so that only the rack needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet. The components on the rack may then be connected to power strip 70 to avoid multiple cords extending to various electrical outlets. Power strip 70 may have a long electric cord, or be attached to an extension cord, so that the rack may be rolled away from the electrical outlet while still plugged in, as the components may need their power during inspection for potential repairs.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the disclosures herein are exemplary only and various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims. 

1. A heavy duty, adjustable rack system for storing and accessing electronic components comprising: vertical rails having multiple attachment points for shelves; a plurality of shelves attached to the attachment points; caster wheels of sufficient duty size to support the weight of the rack system when loaded with electronic components; and a base plate of sufficient weight to lower the center of gravity of the rack system; thereby, reducing the potential for tipping the rack system when it is in motion.
 2. The rack system of claim 1, wherein the rails and shelves are made of steel having a thickness of at least 1/8 inch.
 3. The rack system of claim 2 further comprising handles attached to at least two of the rails.
 4. The rack system of claim 3 wherein said handles are attached at or below the center of gravity of the rack system.
 5. The rack system of claim 2 wherein the base plate is made of steel having a thickness of at least 1/4 inch.
 6. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising a power strip.
 7. The rack system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of shelves comprise a half-shelf.
 8. The rack system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of shelves comprise a shelf of smaller size than a full shelf.
 9. The rack system of claim 1 further comprising a support beam to provide support for, and/ or assist in preventing tipping of, an electronic component carried by a shelf.
 10. The rack system of claim 9 wherein said support beam spans between two of said vertical rails.
 11. The rack system of claim 9 wherein said support beam is thinner in comparison to a rail.
 12. The rack system of claim 1 wherein said base plate comprises a plurality of base plates.
 13. The rack system of claim 12 wherein each one of said plurality of base plates spans between at least two of said vertical rails.
 14. A heavy duty, multi-shelf, rolling rack system for storing, accessing, and moving electronic componentry comprising: a base plate of sufficient weight to lower the center of gravity of the rack system; thereby, tending to stabilize the rack system when in use and/or in motion, and reducing the potential for tipping the rack system when an overturning force is applied.
 15. The rack system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of vertical rails for carrying a plurality of shelves.
 16. The rack system of claim 15 further comprising handles attached to at least two of said plurality of vertical rails.
 17. The rack system of claim 15 wherein said vertical rails are made of steel having a thickness of at least 1/8 inch, and wherein said base plate is made of steel having a thickness of at least 1/8 inch.
 18. The rack system of claim 15 further comprising a power strip.
 19. The rack system of claim 15 further comprising a support beam to provide support for, and/ or assist in preventing tipping of, an electronic component carried by a shelf.
 20. The rack system of claim 14 further comprising caster wheels of sufficient duty size to support the weight of the rack system when loaded with electronic components. 